Nutcracker Sweet

Tonight my fiance and I are going to see the Charleston Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker. This will be the first time I see CBT perform it. I actually take ballet classes from CBT and my teacher is a company member, so I will get to see her perform and some of my younger classmates as well.

Source: Charleston Ballet Theatre
I've seen many versions of the Nutcracker across the South, and so far my favorite is Columbia City Ballet's. I took classes there while I lived in Columbia, so of course I had to go see my classmates perform and William Starrett (CCB Artistic Director) probably would have had our heads if we hadn't gone to see the performance.

The reason I loved Columbia City Ballet's version is because my favorite scene (the snow scene) was beautifully done - from the glittery snow (not soap suds like Atlanta Ballet uses), the stage scenery, the lighting and the choreography was perfect.

Source: Columbia City Ballet
I'm excited to see CBT's version and see how it compares to all of the Nutcrackers I've seen before. The interesting thing about CBT's version is they use a company member for Clara - she happens to be very petite and young looking, so they always use her for Clara. So I'm expecting more advanced dancing from Clara in this version which I think I will like.

We're sitting front row, center left of the second level. I like to sit up higher so I can see the dancers' feet.

I usually dress up more for the Nutcracker, but I'm going more casual tonight. We're stopping by a happy hour before with my fiance's co-workers, so I didn't want to be too dressed up.

I'm going to try out a pair of brown booties instead of knee high boots to see what it looks like - but I might just stick with my tried and true knee high brown boots. We'll see. For jewelry I might try some pearls and see what that looks like.

Are you going to see the Nutcracker in your hometown this year?

Nutcracker Sweet by CharlestonGirlBlog featuring cable knit cardigans

P.S. That navy wrap cardigan is on Rue La La today for only like $30 or something.

Lakin' it for the Fourth

Some of my most fondest childhood memories are from my summer vacations visiting my grandparents' cottage on Chautauqua Lake in upstate NY. My parents would pile all three of us kids in the mini van, strap the car top carrier on the top and our bikes on the back and drove all the way from Birmingham, AL to Chautauqua Lake.

My grandparents have since passed away and my aunt and uncle now own the cottage - they've completely renovated it and still spend a lot of time up there. And in typical fashion as I've gotten older and life in general has consumed my time, I haven't been back for almost 10 years.



However, the stars have aligned this year and my entire family (and Bradley, my bf) will be traveling up there for a mini Fourth of July vacation. I cannot wait to show Bradley where I learned how to fish, rollerskate, and water ski. And Chautauqua is beautiful this time of year - highs is the mid 80's and lows at night in the 60's. My kind of weather.


me rollerskating at Chautauqua Lake's local old fashioned rink, circa 1986...rockin' a romper

So I've started to (over)pack and I wanted to share my Fourth of July outfit... one of the things I love about Target is that they sell different clothes in different Target locations - ensuring that everyone around you won't be wearing the same thing.

I found this adorable bathing suit at the Target in North Charleston - but have yet to see it at any other local Target or online. And the cover up is so adorable - I actually think I might wear it as a dress sometime with a white tank and white slip under it. It's so cute...also a Target find. The fedora is Forever21.


Most of my bathing suits are from Target, and I'm a big fan. But why are the bottoms getting smaller and smaller?? I actually bought the usual size I buy in bathing suit bottoms when I bought this suit, but it barely covered anything! I had to return it and go bigger.

Now...I know I've put on some pounds this past year and I've got some 'junk in the trunk', but seriously...even the size I got isn't nearly close to being the size it says it is. Haven't retailers realized that if you make your sizes bigger than they are supposed to be, not smaller, that it makes us happier and potentially spendier?

Anyways.............I'm so ready for a vacation! What are your plans for the Fourth?